Chapter Nine.

Third person's pov

Clara just stood there shocked. She didn't know what to tell Mark or how to tell him. Finally the day had come, the day to open up to someone about her past.She had to tell someone how cruel life had been to her.

But was she ready to tell him. What if he left her, decided he wanted nothing to do with her anymore? Could she handle it? How would he take her story? Will he even believe her?

""Love, look I know it may be hard and you may not want to talk about it but trust me when I say I'm here for you. I will always be. There's nothing to be afraid of. I will protect you from whoever was in your  nightmare last night.

I won't hurt you. And I won't let anyone hurt you. I promise. Please just tell me. Who hurt you? I saw the scars. I didn't mean to but I did so please tell me,who hurt you?"Mark said sorrow evident in his tone.

He needed to know. He had to know to be able to protect her. He had known her less than a week but she had taken full control of his life. It revolved around her. He wanted to see her first thing in the morning and last thing at night. He wanted to give her everything she wanted. Spoil her. He wanted to always see her smile.

She had become his new objective in life.

But last night, he had seen fear in her eyes. Sorrow. Something he wanted to make sure she never experienced as long as she was with him.

"I..i can't tell you . You will leave me if I tell you. And I.. I don't want you to leave me."Clara said sobbing into her hands.

Mark went to her and gathered her small figure in his arms, resting her head in his chest.

"Clara I could never leave you. Didn't I promise you? Tell me please I need to know. Why do you have those scars? Who gave them to you?" he asked again.

"My... Parents." Clara whispered her eyes tightly shut.

"When I was six my parents died. I wanted to the park but they had refused. I begged them and they immediately gave in. They loved me so much. On our way back from the park we got into an accident and they died. Our vehicle was reduced to nothing I'm surprised that I even survived.

Everyone blamed me for their deaths. From there on the whole village hated me. No one wanted to take custody of me since in their eyes I was a little witch. I stayed in the orphanage until I was eight. I was eventually adopted by a couple from the next town.

I was happy that at last I had gotten a family. I missed my parents terribly but I thought my new parents would be like them. It first it was all good. They were sweet and kind to me. They would take me to the park just like my real parents used to.

But then things changed when I turned nine."Clara paused wiping tears from her eyes. Mark rubbed circles on her back to comfort her as pain began to cloud her tone.

Then she continued "They said I was old enough to start doing house chores. So I started. I would do the dishes and clean the house. It was no big deal.

But... but one day when mom came from work I had not made dinner. I.....didn't know how to. She beat me up saying I was lazy. I.... tried to beg to stop but she.... she didn't stop. By the time she was done I had broken a few ribs and my arm was also broken. She looked me in a room as punishment. When dad came home I thought he would help me  but  he beat me worse than mom had. I nearly  died ." This time she completely broke down. Mark held her impossibly close whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

"It's okay baby you don't have to continue. "Mark told her,planting a kiss to the top of her head.

"No I'm fine. I have to tell you. They continued to beat me on every little thing. I would get a beating when the food had little salt or when the tea had less sugar.

They threatened to kill me if I ever told anyone. I had no  friends in school. The principal was their friends so he kept an eye on me. I joined no clubs and I was not allowed to talk to anyone I'n school.

One day the principal tried to.... he....... he tried to rape me. Fortunately or unfortunately another teacher walked in. He found me under him screaming. I instantly thought I was saved but I was wrong. He went and told the whole school that I had been sleeping with the principal. That I was the one who had seduced him.

I tried to tell everyone that they were lying but no one believed me. I got  suspended from school. My parents were not happy. I got punished so much I couldn't get up for nearly a month.

I had scars all over my body by then. They had become nearly impossible to hide anymore. So they sent me to a boarding school. I finished my primary school in a boarding school but they refused to send me to high school. Saying they didn't have money to waste.

By God's grace I passed my primary school and got a scholarship. That's how I did my high school. I would do small jobs to get a few coins for my needs and the rest I saved for my university tuition.

I passed my KCSE and gained admission to The University of Nairobi. And well here I am."Clara finished.

She tightened her arms around his torso as she cried on his chest. "Please don't leave me. You are the only person who cares so much about me. I know I don't deserve you but please don't leave me. I....i can't live without you. In the past few days I've been happier than I've ever been my whole life. I will do anything you ask but please don't leave me. I need you." Clara cried.

"Shh it's okay baby. I won't leave you. I don't think I could ever live without you. And why would I leave you? It's not your fault. And as for the scars I don't care. I still think you are beautiful with or without them. You're the most beautiful woman I have ever met and nothing will change that. Not even your scars."Mark said and kissed her. She instantly kissed him back.

They suddenly heard someone clear his throat. They quickly pulled apart and found John with a smirk on his face. Clara quickly hid her face in Marks chest making both men chuckle.

She felt so relieved . He knew. He finally knew about her past and he was still here. She felt like she had received a chance to be happy. And she couldn't wish for more.

Hi guys. This chapter is dedicated to all those who are victims of sexual harassment and abuse. Congratulations for having overcome it. It may not be easy but talking to someone about would definitely help. Don't give up..

Right now in Kenya so many girls are pregnant already yet it's only been three months without school. But the most painful thing is that the pregnancies are as a result of rape or defilement. Mostly by people they are trust especially their relatives.

Just stay safe out there 

Love you guys 😘😘😘😘❤❤❤❤💗💖💕💖💖.